Last week was Mental Wellbeing Week at SL Controls with a series of events and initiatives around the important issue of mental health in the workplace. This included an employee anchor day on Thursday 10 October, World Mental Health Day. Employees who were able to work from one of our offices enjoyed a pizza lunch and an informative Lunch & Learn session with Mark Donnelly, the founder of mental health awareness clothing brand HUH.

We also promoted new mental health posters throughout the week, including our “Are You Concerned About Your Mental Health?” and “Starting the Conversation” posters.

Our Mental Wellbeing Champions were also introduced to the wider SL Controls team as part of Mental Wellbeing Week, plus we provided information on our Employee Assistance Programme, the mental health supports that are available, and tips to boost mental well-being.

SL Controls Mental Wellbeing Champion Deirdre Loughlin said: “Mental Wellbeing Week was a great opportunity to focus on the important issue of mental health in the workplace, and it was great to get together with the team for the pizza lunch on World Mental Health Day. But it is also important to remember that mental health isn’t something to highlight for one day or one week a year. It is something we need to continuously revisit to care for our own mental health and look out for each other.”

Norma Mulligan is also a Mental Wellbeing Champion at SL Controls. Norma said: “We are a remote working company, so it is more likely that employees will be working from home or from a client facility than in the office. As a result, initiatives like Mental Wellbeing Week help to ensure everyone in the company is aware of the support that is available as well as the things we can all do to boost our mental wellbeing.”

The SL Controls team has returned from the Ignition Community Conference 2024 where they got a better understanding of how the new release of Ignition scheduled for January will benefit our customers in the life sciences sector.

Systems Architect Brian McLaughlin also participated in an integrator panel discussion covering the technologies and trends that are breaking through in the industry. Brian was representing SL Controls as an Ignition Premier Integrator.

Brian said: “There are a lot of new features and functionality in the new version of Ignition that will be released in Q1 next year – version 8.3. Some of those features will make a real impact in regulated sectors, including for companies in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

“For example, Ignition 8.3 will have a new and improved form component that not only streamlines the technical creation of forms but also the process to validate changes in forms as part of the development process. The agile development of Ignition-based solutions in the life sciences sector will also benefit from Ignition 8.3’s new deployment modes that make the gateway aware of the environment – development, staging, or production. This means we won’t have to manually track changes between the different environments to keep the solution in a validated state.

“These are just some of the changes coming with version 8.3 that not only enhance the capabilities of Ignition but also make it even more adaptable to the life sciences sector than it already is.”

SL Controls Digital Transformation Executive Frank Quinn also attended the Ignition Community Conference 2024. Frank said: “The event had a real buzz about it, and it was great to meet other members of the Ignition community. Brian’s contribution to the integrator panel also went down very well.

“One of the main highlights was the announcement of Ignition 8.3. We’ll publish more on the new features and capabilities over the coming months, plus we can provide expert support for existing Ignition users as they upgrade to the new version. We are also looking forward to working on new Ignition implementations over the coming months and throughout 2025.”

It is just a few days to go now until Pharma MES 2024, and the SL Controls team will be there.

Taking place this year in Berlin, Pharma MES 2024 is one of the most important events in Europe for pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing. In addition to the focus on manufacturing execution systems, this year will also feature digital transformation and pharma 4.0 sessions.

SL Controls parent company, NNIT, is a primary campaign partner of Pharma MES 2024, and several of our NNIT colleagues will be involved as speakers and moderators at a number of presentations and workshops.

Vinnie Boyd, Senior Business Operations Executive at SL Controls, said: “New technologies, including advanced MES and SCADA platforms, are facilitating transformation change in pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing organizations. These technologies and modern ways of working and using data are driving significant improvements in productivity, quality, and compliance while reducing costs, risks, and modernization challenges.

“The list of companies, technology leaders, and pharma professionals attending Pharma MES 2024 is a who’s who of this sector. The SL Controls team is looking forward to participating in the event and we hope to see you there. If you are going, email me at [email protected] so we can set aside some time for a coffee and a chat.”

Pharma MES 2024 is taking place in the Maritim proArte Hotel, Berlin from 22 to 24 September.

It is now less than two weeks until ICC 2024 – the Ignition Community Conference 2024 – and SL Controls is delighted to be attending. In-person places are sold out for this very popular event in the industrial automation calendar, but Systems Architect Brian McLaughlin will be there to represent Ignition Premier Integrator, SL Controls.

Brian will be taking part in an integrator panel discussion on the technologies and trends that are breaking through.

ICC 2024 is being billed as the breakthrough conference where professionals and experts from across the Ignition community will share ideas and ways of working. The newest version of Ignition by Inductive Automation will also be featured, plus there will be a Build-a-Thon battle event.

Brian said: “There is a lot of buzz about ICC 2024, so it’s not surprising tickets have sold out. SL Controls is delighted to be involved as we continue to support our growing list of clients transitioning to the Ignition platform.”

1. Describe your job as if you were explaining it to a five-year-old.

I work with machines to help make them manufacture products in a factory smarter or faster. This normally means programming the machines to share their data and present it to an operator who can then make better decisions based on that information.

2. What types of projects are you working on at the moment?

Our project team is currently working with a large multinational life sciences company to create a SCADA system using Ignition to automate the batch control process on a packing line. This involves integrating all machines on the line to display and record batch data, and also automate the recipe selection process from the ERP system to the machines, reducing human error.

We are also integrating a paper-to-glass solution that allows operators to complete line clearance, periodic checks, and cleaning checks on an HMI or tablet. We have also introduced automated checks which reduce the number of line clearance tasks to be completed at changeover.

3. How did you get into the industry?

After college, I worked as an embedded software developer, and during that time I became interested in machine automation. I then decided to do a part-time specialist diploma in automation and controls. As my interest grew, I decided to go down the industrial automation software path, so I began to apply for jobs and got one as a Controls Engineer.

4. What is your proudest moment (work life or personal life)?

It’s a toss-up between getting married and the birth of our daughter. Two moments I’m proud and grateful for.

5. What’s the best advice you could give to someone thinking of coming into this industry?

If you can, talk to someone in the field already who can explain what the job is like day to day. Otherwise, if you have an interest and are studying or have studied in an engineering field, I’d look up videos on different automation technologies. There are fantastic resources out there, and a lot of them are now free. Take Inductive Automation, for example. They have free videos and demo software which will allow you to get a real understanding and feel for Ignition SCADA. It’s one of the main platforms we use in many of our projects.

6. Outside of work, what are you most passionate about?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing football, keeping fit, and watching sports.

7. What’s the best thing about working for life sciences customers (pharma, MedTech, etc)?

By providing services to life sciences customers, we are always getting exposure to using the best technology which drives continuous learning & improvement.

8. What is the best thing about being on the SL Controls team?

At SL Controls, there is always someone close by who can give you advice/feedback on an issue or stumbling block to a technical solution, so you never feel like you are working in isolation. Also, the People & Culture team is always looking at ways for us to meet up and socialise so there is always something planned to look forward to.

1. Describe your job as if you were explaining it to a five-year-old.

My job is similar to building a house. First, I speak to the house owners to get to know them and understand their requirements. From there, we agree on the price and the amount of time it will take to build it.

I then organize all the specialized tradespeople into a meeting room and explain the project to them. They get to work, and I check in with them on a regular basis to make sure they are wearing their safety equipment and not spending too much money!

Occasionally I invite the house owners to come along so they can see it being built – very exciting!

At the end of the project, I hand the keys over to the house owners and I thank everyone for a job well done.

2. What types of projects are you working on at the moment?

I am currently managing a team of developers to deliver SCADA-based projects across a number of packaging lines for a client in the medical device industry.

We are applying agile best-practice methodologies to incrementally and iteratively deliver value to our customers. We attend the team daily scrum, walk the Kanban board, uncover problems, and ensure work flows smoothly through the team. Our sprints are timeboxed at three weeks, so toward the end, we demonstrate working software to our customers in a sprint review and reflect using lessons learned – a retrospective.

Our teams are self-organising and focused outwardly on customer satisfaction, so operationally, it is easy to build projects around motivated individuals.

3. How did you get into the industry?

In 2001, I graduated from the University of Limerick (UL) with a BEng. in Electronic Engineering.  During my time at UL, I had an opportunity to experience a nine-month work-placement program. This provided valuable insights into life as an engineer working in a professional and regulated industry.

Since then, I navigated my way through the automotive industry developing and delivering projects to high-end customers such as Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche, to name but a few. I also spent some time delivering projects for clients in FDA-regulated environments – Class III medical devices and pharma.

While I enjoy the technical engineering elements, I thrive on leading teams and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed and evolve through projects.

I joined SL Controls in early 2021 and I am now Operations Manager for a Corporate Portfolio.

4. What is your proudest moment (work life or personal life)?

For me, I think it was the day my son and daughter were born. It really is a special occasion and one I will remember forever. It’s hard work at times but so rewarding as you get to see them smile, develop, and grow. I am a musician and already my son of two years of age has his own guitar and rhythm!

5. What’s the best advice you could give to someone thinking of coming into this industry?

We live in a very fast-paced environment so I would advise people to “Embrace change”. I also think that customer satisfaction should be front and center when we execute our daily tasks.

6. Outside of work, what are you most passionate about?

I am a huge rugby fan and a dedicated Munster and Ireland supporter. I love to travel and explore new environments either at home or abroad. I am also a big lover of music and occasionally play the guitar with other musicians in venues at home.

7. What’s the best thing about working for life sciences customers (pharma, MedTech, etc)?

You get a chance to make a difference and have a big impact within one of the most successful and important industries in the world. You team up with high-caliber professionals to deliver projects to clients ranging from global pharmaceutical and med device giants to start-ups and research organizations.

8. What is the best thing about being on the SL Controls team?

I still remember the day I joined the company and I have to say it really was a very enjoyable experience. It was warm and friendly and many of the Senior Leadership Team reached out directly and welcomed me onboard, so I immediately felt valued and part of the family.

It has been like this ever since and although our teams are dispersed, we have a very close connection. You are very much encouraged to share your ideas and you are allowed to grow and develop.

Members of the SL Controls team got together recently in Athlone for our annual company outing.

The day started with a puzzle solving challenge called Beat the Box organized by Orange Works. We had to work together as a team to identify the code which turned out to be our employee appreciation tagline: Celebrating Wins Together.

We then boarded a replica Viking ship for a cruise down the Shannon to Killinure Chalets where a delicious barbecue was waiting for us in relaxed and rustic surroundings. We then returned to Athlone where the party continued.

Shauna Ryan, Director of People & Culture at SL Controls, said: “We operate a remote and hybrid working model at SL Controls, so events where we come together in person are highly anticipated, especially when they are non-work related.

“This is not the first time we have travelled to Athlone and the afternoon and evening didn’t disappoint. It was great to see old friends and meet new ones, and to spend time in each other’s company.

“Thanks to the various organizations involved in running the activities and the SL Controls team who organized the event. Our next opportunity to get together will be our first NNIT Region Europe Summit in Copenhagen in October. We are very much looking forward to meeting and getting to know our NNIT colleagues!”

Promoting good physical and mental health is an important priority for SL Controls, and it never hurts to add in a bit of friendly competition. So, throughout the month of June, 30 members of the SL Controls team split into five teams to compete in our summer activity challenge.

Participants could engage in any type of physical activity, anytime and anywhere. All they had to do was log their activity on the Strava app so we could award points. The more minutes the participants were active, the more points they received.

There was a wide range of activities and sports that team members took part in, including running, walking, hiking, swimming, cycling, kayaking, pilates, yoga, HIIT workouts, and golf. Photos taken by some of the participants are below.

But there could only be one winner – the Le(g)s Misérables team who claimed a comfortable victory by the end of the month.

Norma Mulligan, People & Culture Executive at SL Controls said: “The first thing to say is well done to all the participants in this year’s summer activity challenge at SL Controls. And congratulations to the winning team – Riley Moloney, Darragh McMorrow, Deirdre Loughlin, Fergal Quinn, and Bharat Varada. We also need to give a shout-out to Dermot McMorrow who was named the most active individual following an impressive performance in the second week of the challenge.

“Staying physically and mentally fit and healthy doesn’t stop at the end of June, though, so we have also used the event to encourage all members of the SL Controls team to stay active and keep up the good work from the challenge.”

SL Controls engineers recently completed an engineering education program with 5th-class primary school pupils at Youghalarra National School in Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland.

SL Controls Systems Architect Volker Winhausen and Senior Validation Engineer Andrew Ryan took part in the program which is run by STEAM. STEAM is an organization that partners with industry to inspire children in science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths with interactive presentations and practical activities.

Increased Confidence

Andrew and Volker guided the primary school pupils through the 10-week program and said it was great to see confidence levels increase.

Andrew said: “There was a huge difference in response between the first class we had with the children and the last class. In the last class, confidence levels were much higher, and the children were delighted to get their final certificates. It was great to see their confidence grow, and they were not afraid to throw their hands up to give answers to questions. The whole experience was good for us, good for the school, and good for the kids as well.”

Volker agreed: “The kids were a bit reserved at the start but afterward when they got to know us, they warmed up, asked questions, and gave answers. It was good learning for us as well.

“I didn’t know what to expect at the start. What I really like about STEAM is the nice change between the PowerPoint presentations and the practical exercises. I liked the enthusiasm of some of the kids, and you can see they get excited about engineering. But there is the other side too, like when we asked who had built a paper plane before. Only about six from the class of 14 had built a paper plane. I found that surprising.

“Some of the kids got hooked on a topic and even tried things over the weekend at home. One guy built a catapult that must have taken him all weekend. We got the most enjoyment from the electronics session, where the children used Play-Doh to build circuits. I didn’t even know you could do that with Play-Doh, but the children got their light bulbs all lighting up which was really cool.”

From Germany to Tipperary

Andrew added: “With some of the practical exercises, you could see the kids trying to find the right solution, and you could see lightbulbs going off in their heads. They definitely were taking on board the high-level messages.

“At one point, Volker went back to his own primary school days to explain a point about current flows. So, something taught in Germany was brought back to a class in Tipperary, but that’s how you get things across. The children could understand it completely with that example from Volker.”

Andrew said the experience was worthwhile and he recommended it to other engineers.

He said: “My advice is to do it, as it’s a great experience. At the start, no one knows what they are getting into – the kids, the teacher, ourselves. But in the end, everyone gets something out of it, especially the children. My advice is to do it if you get the opportunity.”